Samsung has long been recognized for delivering exceptional performance even in its more affordable TV models, and the UE43BU8000 aims to live up to that reputation.

However, recent budget-friendly offerings from Samsung have not impressed us as much as we hoped. This could be due to increased competition and a slight dip in Samsung’s usually high standards.

Given this mixed track record, we approached the UE43BU8000 with an open mind, curious to see what kind of surprises it might hold.

Price

Not too long ago, spending £479 / AU$795 (around $585) on a moderately well-specified 4K TV from a trusted brand seemed like a great deal. Nowadays, with options like the Toshiba 50UK4D63DB available for just £329 (around $400 / AU$600) and 55-inch TVs like the TCL 55C735K priced at £529 (around $645 / AU$925), the price of the UE43BU8000 is less of a standout.

However, you're still investing in a Samsung TV, which comes with all the expertise and advantages Samsung brings to the table. This includes Samsung's well-known Crystal Colour technology and a smart system that supports almost every streaming service you can think of.

The full product code for the 43-inch BU8000 in Australia is UA43BU8000. Unfortunately, it's not available in the US, where Samsung seems to prioritize its more premium QLED, OLED, and Mini LED ranges.

Design

The design of the product seamlessly blends form and function, making it visually appealing while remaining highly practical. Its sleek lines and modern aesthetics will complement any setting, from home offices to living rooms. Additionally, the thoughtful design elements ensure that the product is not just about looks but also about providing an exceptional user experience. Enjoy the perfect marriage of style and usability with this innovative design.

Performance

When it comes to performance, this product truly excels. It delivers top-tier outcomes consistently, ensuring that you get the best every time you use it. Whether it's speed, efficiency, or reliability, you can count on this product to meet all your demands. Its superior performance is backed by cutting-edge technology, making it a must-have for anyone looking to enhance their productivity and enjoyment.

Features

This product is packed with features designed to make your life easier and more enjoyable. From its user-friendly interface to its advanced functionality, every feature has been included with the user in mind. You'll find intuitive controls that make it easy to use, and versatile options that allow you to customize your experience to suit your needs perfectly.

The UE43BU8000’s ‘AirSlim’ design makes it a standout in the budget TV category, with its sleek 26mm-deep rear giving it an almost OLED-like appearance that's perfect for wall mounting.

The build quality is top-notch. Despite its slim profile, the chassis is sturdy without noticeable bending or flexing, suggesting the use of more durable materials rather than the lightweight plastics typical at this price point.

The UE43BU8000 comes with two remote controls: a standard, button-filled one that's quite functional despite its plasticky feel, and a sleek 'Smart' remote with a rear solar cell, eliminating the need for battery replacements.

If you prefer placing the TV on furniture rather than mounting it on a wall, the supporting feet offer wide or narrow attachment options to fit various furniture widths or sizes of soundbars. Adding a soundbar to the UE43BU8000 is highly recommended, as we’ll discuss.

Features

Explore the top-notch features that set our product apart. Designed for excellence, it offers superior functionality and reliability.

The UE43BU8000 might not feature Quantum Dot color technology, but it does come with Samsung's Crystal Colour. This is a combination of a wide gamut LCD panel and powerful color processing that promises a stunning billion color shades.

The LCD panel is a VA type, and given the TV's slim profile, it uses edge-lit LEDs. This setup can affect contrast and black levels negatively.

There's no local dimming, which is likely a smart choice for edge-lit TVs, as it usually results in distracting light stripes across the screen.

The panel supports only a 50Hz refresh rate, so you won't get 4K/120Hz gaming capabilities. Plus, none of the three HDMI ports support VRR. The only advanced gaming feature it offers is ALLM.

However, the Game mode delivers impressively low input lag of just 9.7ms. The Motion Xcelerator feature uses processing to reduce judder and blur, providing some compensation for the lack of VRR and 4K/120Hz support. Gamers will appreciate Samsung's Gaming Hub, which offers a variety of streamed gaming platforms, and support for the HGiG system, allowing the TV to optimize HDR tone mapping from your console or PC.

The UE43BU8000’s smart system is the latest version of Samsung’s Tizen-based Eden platform. Over the last year, it has evolved from a simple row-based interface into a full-screen system with more content showcase options.

While some of the promoted content can be niche, and navigating the menus might feel unintuitive, the good news is that the smart system is packed with apps and video streaming content. All major streaming services are available and support 4K and HDR, where provided.

The main caveat is the lack of Dolby Vision support. Staying true to Samsung’s historical stance, the UE43BU8000 supports HDR formats like HDR10, HLG, and Samsung's HDR10+.

Rounding out the UE43BU8000’s features are some notable audio elements. One is a 'light' version of Samsung’s Object Tracking Sound (OTS) system, combining AI with the TV’s down-firing speakers to simulate height and position audio effects accurately. The Adaptive Sound feature further optimizes the audio profile based on the content.

Additionally, the TV supports Samsung’s Q-Symphony system, enabling the TV’s speakers to work with a Samsung soundbar for a broader soundstage. However, the effectiveness of Q-Symphony on this particular model may be questionable for some users.

Picture

Explore the vibrant world of visual excellence with our latest image quality insights. Dive into a detailed review of the most stunning visuals available in today’s technology. Learn how cutting-edge advancements are pushing the boundaries of clarity and color.

Stay ahead of the curve and keep your viewing experience sublime.

With Samsung’s UE43AU7100 gaining attention in 2021, we decided to compare it with the brand’s new UE43BU8000. This comparison highlighted Samsung's advancements and areas needing improvement.

The UE43BU8000 shines with superior brightness and more vivid colors. While peak brightness is only slightly higher than the UE43AU7100, the newer TV offers a noticeable boost in brightness with full-screen content. Colors are more vibrant and natural, thanks to Samsung’s latest Dynamic Crystal processor, which enhances color volume and fine details.

Unlike the 43AU7100, which could appear compressed with mid-dark tones, the UE43BU8000 maintains consistent color refinement. This results in a more three-dimensional and refined picture, especially during dark scenes.

Native 4K content looks sharper and more detailed due to refined color rendering, and upscaled HD surpasses budget expectations with its crispness and lack of video noise.

However, the UE43BU8000 shows regression in its backlight performance compared to the UE43AU7100. Both models have similar black levels, but the newer model suffers from more backlight clouding and is prone to losing subtle details in dark areas, despite the Filmmaker mode preset.

The clouding can be distracting in dark room setups, and missing shadow details may make dark scenes appear less engaging than bright ones. Although the UE43BU8000 offers higher contrast with its enhanced brightness and less noticeable blooming issues, the UE43AU7100 provides a more balanced dark scene performance.

Most viewers rarely watch TV in dark environments, especially in secondary rooms where the UE43BU8000 might be used. Therefore, for many, the benefits of the new TV’s brightness and color may outweigh its dark scene shortcomings.

We also compared the UE43BU8000 with Xiaomi’s F2 TV. While both sets boast similar brightness and color vibrancy, the Samsung excels with more subtle color nuances, reduced motion blur in 24p movies, less clipping in bright HDR areas, and improved shadow detail in dark scenes.

Sound

Experience a rich tapestry of sound that envelopes you in an auditory wonderland. Our advanced sound technology ensures every note is crisp, every beat resonates, and every melody transports you. Whether you’re listening to classical music, immersing yourself in a podcast, or just enjoying some light background tunes, our system delivers unparalleled audio quality.

With meticulously fine-tuned drivers and a robust build, the resulting audio is clear, powerful, and natural. Our commitment to exceptional sound involves not just high fidelity but also an immersive experience that places you at the heart of the performance.

Unmatched Clarity

Say goodbye to distortion and hello to crystal clear audio. Our devices feature top-of-the-line components designed to deliver sound as the artist intended, bringing you closer to the music than ever before.

Immersive Experience

Dive into a world of immersive audio with surround sound capabilities and intelligent sound enhancement features. Let the sound transport you, whether you're at home or on the go.

Simple and Accessible

Our user-friendly interface makes accessing superior sound quality a breeze, even for those who might not be tech-savvy. It's sound made simple, accessible, and incredibly enjoyable.

Explore Now

Discover the revolutionary sound that everyone is talking about. Click here to learn more and elevate your audio experience today!

The UE43BU8000 paints a vivid picture, but unfortunately, its audio doesn't match up. The sound is quite thin and lacks impact, giving the impression that all the action is happening somewhere distant, rather than bringing it right into your living room.

When action scenes heat up, the mid-range sounds are too weak and narrow, causing the audio to collapse under pressure. Moreover, while the sound does extend slightly beyond the screen's sides, the bass is minimal, and it manages to avoid crackling or buzzing.

Given these shortcomings, a soundbar might quickly become more of a necessity than an option. However, it's worth noting that the TV's speakers may struggle to sound good when paired with a Samsung soundbar in Q-Symphony mode. It's probably best to choose a decent soundbar, whether it's a Samsung or another brand, and let that handle the audio independently.

Verdict

After diving deep into the features and performance of this product, we can confidently say it stands out in its category. Whether you’re an audiophile looking for pristine sound quality or a casual listener wanting something more reliable, this option checks all the boxes. Its user-friendly interface, combined with robust build quality and seamless connectivity, makes it a top contender in the market.

One of the standout features is its exceptional battery life, ensuring you stay connected and entertained for longer. Additionally, the sleek design is not just about looks; it’s crafted for comfort and longevity. When it comes to audio clarity, the sound profile is well-balanced, delivering crisp highs, detailed mids, and a satisfying bass response.

Overall, this product offers a superb mix of performance, design, and durability, making it a wise investment for anyone in need of a reliable audio solution.

The UE43BU8000 may not deliver powerful audio for movies or game soundtracks, but its visuals are certainly impressive. You'll find bright, colorful, and sharp images that stand out. Despite some occasional backlight clouding in darker scenes, the overall picture quality is more refined than what you'd expect from your average budget TV. However, similar investments can get you better (and bigger) alternatives.